spray

1 verb

1 (T) to make a stream of small drops of liquid come out of a small tube or several small holes: spray sb with sth: She sprayed herself with perfume. | spray sth on/over sth: Vandals had sprayed graffiti on the walls. | spray crops/plants (=cover them with liquid to protect them from insects or disease)

2 (intransitive always + adv/prep) if liquids or small bits spray somewhere they are quickly scattered through the air

(+ over/around/from etc): Grass started spraying from the blades of the lawn mower.

3 spray (sb/sth with) bullets to shoot many bullets from a gun quickly: Gunmen sprayed the crowd with bullets.

2 noun

1 LIQUID (C, U) liquid which is forced out of a special container in a stream of very small drops: hair spray (=spray which you put on your hair to keep it tidy) | insect spray (=spray used for killing insects)

2 A CAN (C) a can or other container with a special tube which forces liquid out in a stream of small drops: Avoid sprays that contain harmful CFCs.

3 FROM THE SEA (U) water in very small drops blown from the sea or a wet surface: A thunderous plume of spray leapt half-way up the cliff.

4 BRANCH (C) a small branch from a tree or plant used for decoration

(+ of): sprays of holly

5 FLOWERS/JEWELS (C) an attractive arrangement of flowers or jewels

6 a spray of bullets/dust etc a lot of very small objects or bits moving quickly through the air